A field experiment was conducted on a shallow Lithic Ustorthent to evaluate the performance of aonla based agri-horti system (with green gram and mustard as the field crops grown in rotation) under different combinations of organic and inorganic sources of nutrients. The treatment T5 (vermicompost @ 2 tha-1) along with recommended dose of fertilizers increased the yield of green gram by 49%, and that of mustard by 52% over control (no fertilizer application). Application of vermicompost also enhanced aonla growth and increased soil organic carbon (by 29% in five years), available nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, manganese and copper contents as compared to control and 100% recommended dose of fertilizers after five years. The maximum B:C ratio of 3.73:1 was obtained in respect of 100% NPK + NADEP manure, which was at par with 100% NPK + vermicompost, with a B:C ratio of 3.72:1. Vermicompost has emerged as the best organic source for the improvement in soil properties and maintaining the sustainability of the agri-horti system under study.
Agri-horti system, Aonla, Green gram-mustard cropping system, Integrated Nutrient Management, Farmyard manure, Vermicompost
